Furniture.



J. F. WALTON.

FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAH. I. I9I5.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

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Wl TNESSES:

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JERROLD F. WALTON, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN.

FURNITURE.

Application filed March 1, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JERROLD F. WALTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sturgis, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in furniture.

Manufacturers of furniture such as Morris chairs and the like, on account of the nature and bulk ofthe chairs find the cost of shipping to be a relatively large item in the cost of manufacture and distribution of the goods.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved furniture structure which may be shipped in the knockdown and easily assembled or setup by the retailer or user and one which, when assembled, is very strong and rigid and Well adapted to withstand the racking strains to which it is subjected in use without opening or loosening the joints.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specilication.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred elnbodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail front perspective vleW of a chair fralne of the Morris type embodying the features of my invention. the Seat and back being omitted. Fig. II is a horizontal section through the legs above their l connecting rails. Fig. III is an enlarged detail horizontal section on a line corresponding to line3 3of FigI. Fig. IV isaperspective view of one of the coupling members. Fig. Y is a detail horizontal section corresponding to that of Fig. III of a slightly modified structure.

In the drawing` similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1-1 represents the front legs and 2-2 the rear legs of a Morris chair frame. These legs are connected by the side rails 3 3, front rail 4, and the rear rail 5. The rails are provided with leg engaging dowels 6. It will be un- Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Serial No. 11.291.

derstood that mortise and tenons may be used instead of dowels where preferred, and I use the term broadly. The top bars or arms 7 are secured upon the upper ends of the legs, the legs being provided with dowels 8 adapted to engage the arms. The front and back rails are connected by cross bars 9, the ends of which are, in this structure, illustrated provided with dovetail tenons 9 engaged in mortises 10 in the inner sides of the said front and back rails. These cross bars are disposed adjacent to the side rails and have longitudinal slots 11 at each end.

The U-shaDed coupling members 12 are provided with laterally turned attaching ears 13 on their inner arms 14 arranged against and secured to the inner sides of the side rails by screws 15. The outer arms 16 of the coupling members are disposed and clamped between the ends of the side rails and the sides of the legs.

The arms 1G terminate in retaining lugs 17 which engage recesses 18 in the sides of the legs. The arms 16 in the structure shown in detail in Fig. III are arranged in recesses 19 in the ends of the side rails.

In the modification shown in Fig. V recesses 20 are provided in the legs and recesses 21 at the ends of the front and rear rails. The coupling members 12 have keyhole slots 22, the enlargements 23 of the slots being in the arms 14. These slots are adapted to receive the heads'of the clampin bolts 21 which are arranged through the slots 11 in the cross bars 9 and provided with washers 25 and winged clamping nuts 26. IVith the parts thus arranged the structure can be readily assembled and when assembled is vcr v rigid and well adapted to withstand the strains to which it is subjected in usc.

My improvements are not only adapted for use in furniture which is designed to be shipped in the knockdown to be set up by the user or the dealer` but is also of advantage for use in furniture which is assembled in the factor)7 as it facilitates assembling and adds to the rigidity and strength thereof.

In practice when the structure is to be assembled by the user or dealer the side members or units consisting of a pair of front and rear legs and the side rails and arms are secured together and assembled as a unit in the factory. The front and rear rails are provided with leg engaging dowels or tenons and are mortised to receive the d ovetailed tenons or tongues 9 of the cross bars 9 so that they may be readily engaged by the user or dealer. The coupling members 12 are secured to the side rails with the lugs 17 of their outer arms engaged in the recess 18 and clamped between the sides of the legs and the ends of the arms. The clamping bolts 24 are preferably assembled in the slots 11 before shipping from the factory. This prevents their becoming lost in shipment.

In setting up the chair it is only necessary to connect the cross bars 9 to the front and rear i'ails and the front and rear rail dowels with the front and rear legs and secure the parts thus assembled by the clamping bolts 24, the heads of which may be conveniently engaged in the key-hole slots 22 of the coupling members. The clamping bolts can be readily drawn up so that the parts are rigidly locked together. The arms 16 of the coupling members being clamped between the ends of the side rails and the sides of the legs and provided with retaining lugs 17 engaged in the recess of the legs cannot be pulled out or loosened when the parts are clamped up or from strains in ilse. If desired the structure may be shipped in the knockdown with the cross bars 9 permanently secured to the front and rear rails. When so assembled the structure in the knockdown cannot be arranged so compactly.

It has the advantage, however, of doing away with the necessity of the user or dealer assembling these parts and is I nd a very practical method of assembling.

In the modification shown in Fig. V the cross bars 9 are omitted and an angle shaped bracket-like support 27 having a slot 28 therein for the bolt 24 is substituted.

I have not shown the back and its connections or the seat, as suitable back and seat striictuies are well known, I preferably use the back structure shown in Letters Patentl No. l,137,246,`issued to me April 27, 1915.

As stated, my improvements are not only of advantage for use in structures designed to be shipped in the knoekdown and assembled by the user and retailer but is also of advantage for use in structures assembled in the factory. The assembled chair is rigid and strong and well adapted to withstand the vstrains of severe usage.

I have illustrated my improvements as I have applied them to chairs, they may, however, be readily adapted and used in other articles of furniture.

I have not illustrated or described various adaptations possible as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as conditions may require. I desire` however, to be understood as claiming my improvements specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly withing the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is':

1. A structure of the class described, coinprising a corner member, a pair of side membersdisposed at an angle to each other with their ends abutting said corner member and tenoned thereto, a. U-shaped coupling member having a laterally turned attaching ear on its inner arm secured to the inner side of one of said side members, its outer arm being disposed between such side member and said corner member and terminating in a laterally turned retaining lug, said side member being recessed to receive the arm and said corner member being recessed to receive said lug, said coupling member having a key hole slot therein, the enlargement of the slot being in the outer arm thereof, a slotted member on the inner side of the other side member, and a clamping bolt arranged `in said slotted member with its head engaged in said slot of said coupling member.

2. A structure of the class described, comprising a corner member, a pair of side members disposed at an angle to each other with their ends abutting said corner member, a U-shaped coupling member having its inner arm secured to one of said side members, its outer arm being clamped between such side member and said corner member and provided with ay retaining lug engaged in a recess in said corner member, said coupling member having a key hole slot therein, a slotted member on the other side member, and a clamping bolt arranged in said slotted member with its head engaged in said slot of said coupling member.

3. A structure of the class described, comprising a corner member, a pair of side members disposed at an angle to each other with their ends abutting said corner member, a U-shaped coupling member having its inner arm secured to one of said side members, its outer arm being clamped between such side member and said corner member and provided with a retaining lug engaged in a recess in said corner member, said coupling member having a bolt opening thereinA and a clamping bolt connected to the other side member and engaged in said bolt opening of said coupling member.

4. A structure of the class described, comprising a corner member, a pair of side members disposed at an angle to each other with their ends abutting said corner member, a coupling member secured to one of said side members and having an arm disposed between such side member and said corner member and terminating in a laterally turned retaining lug, said side member being recessed to receive said arm and said corner member being recessed to receive said lug, and a clamping bolt engaging said.

coupling member and connected to the other side member.

5. A structure of the class described, comprising a corner member, a pair of side members disposed at an angle to each other withl their ends abutting said corner member, a coupling member secured to one of said side members and having an arm disposed between each side member and said corner member, and provided with a retaining lug engaging said corner member, said coupling member having a bolt engaging opening therein, a slotted member on the other side member, and a clamping bolt arranged in said slotted member with its head engaged in said opening of said coupling member.

6. A structure of the class described, comprising a corner member, a pair of side members disposed at an angle to each other with their ends abutting said corner member, a coupling member secured to one of said side members and having an arm disposed between such side member and said corner member and provided with a retaining lug engaging said corner member, and a clamping bolt engaging said coupling member and connected to the other side member.

7. A structure of the class described, comprising a corner member, a pair of side members disposed at an angle to each other with their ends abutting said corner member, a coupling member secured to onel of said side members and having an arm clamped between such side member and said corner member and provided with a retaining lug engaging said corner member, said coupling member having a key hole bolt engaging opening therein, and a clamping bolt connected to the other side member, its head being engaged in said opening of said coupling member.

S. In a chair, the combination of the front and rear legs, side rails and arms connecting the front andk rear legs in pairs, front and rear rails, cross bars disposed parallel to the side rails, the said front and rear rails and cross bars having dovetailed joints, said cross bars being slotted at their ends, U-shaped coupling members having one arm secured to the inner side of the side rails and the other arm clamped between the ends of the side rails and the legs, and provided with retaining lugs engaged in recesses in said legs, said coupling members having key-hole slots therein, said clamping bolts clamping bolts arranged coupling member slots whereby the side members are connected.

Q. In a chair, ra1ls connecting said legs, cross bars eX tendmg between an opposed pair of rails and fixed thereto,l .sa1d cross bars being slotted at their ends, U-shapedf coupling members secured to the inner sides of the second pair of said rails by one of their arms, their other arms being clamped between the ends of such rails and said legs and provided with retaining lugs engaged in recesses in said legs, said coupling members having key-hole slots therein, and through said slots in sa1d cross bars and having their heads engaged in said coupling member slots.

'10. In a chair, the combination of the legs, ralls connecting said legs, cross bars extending between an opposed pair of said rails and fixed thereto, said cross bars being disposed adjacent the other pair of rails, coupling members secured to the second pair of rails by one of their arms, their other arms being clamped between the ends of such rails and said legs and provided with retaining lugs engaged in recesses in said legs, said coupling members having bolt openings therein, and clamping bolts arranged through said cross bars and having their heads engaged in said coupling members.

1l. In a chair, the combination of side members comprising legs, and connecting side rails secured together as a unit, front and rear rails, cross bars extending between said front and rear ails and slotted at their ends, U-shaped coupling members having one arm secured to the inner side of the side rails and the other arm clamped between tlie ends of the side rails and said legs and provided with retaining lugs engaged in recesses in said legs, said coupling members having bolt engaging openings therein, and clamping bolts arranged through said slots in said cross-bars and having their heads engaged in said coupling member slots.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

JERROLD F. VALTON.

Witnesses:

LAURENCE H. THOMPSON, HAZEL E. MYERS.

the combination ofthe legs, .l 

